13 December 2011

My DIY Agate Lamps

I'm dipping my toe back into the blogging waters with this little project I've been wanting to share for some time.  I'm sure I'm not alone in obsessing over the gorgeous lamps we've all seen made of semi-precious stone, agates and geodes.  Bad News:  those things are crazy expensive.  Good News:  The area of Brazil where we live is geode mecca - where dozens of quarries and mines are found.

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 I found some lamp-making kits through this seller on Ebay, knowing that with some awesome rocks, I could make my own glamazon lamps.  On our last day trip to a little mining town, I snagged two, large (about 5 lbs each) amethysts for a really reasonable price.  
I gilded the base of the rock with paint, and painted the lamp base red per Ben's suggestion.  I had planned to go boring-black on the base, but am so glad I went with my hubster's opinion, as I love how the purple-red-gold color combo amps up the glam factor.  Dontcha hate it when spouse's are right? ;)
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As you can see, the rock sits in front of the lamp pole, which isn't quite the perfect-professional look I'd like to have, but it makes for a very simple project, and overall, gives the look I was going for.  The lampshade still needs a little zhushing, too.

Yes, my bedside table needs some serious styling help, but you get the idea.  A+ for effort, right?
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Posted by ag at

32 comments:

  1. Amelia @ House PrettyDecember 13, 2011 at 6:52 AM

    Gorgeous! Amethyst is my birth stone, so I especially love this lamp. I can only imagine how amazing the sparkle must be in person!

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  2. Lindsey E.December 13, 2011 at 7:30 AM

    LOVE. Glad you're back! Xoxo

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  3. EliseDecember 13, 2011 at 7:40 AM

    Loves it.

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  4. Kim@ChattafabulousDecember 13, 2011 at 7:53 AM

    Happy to have you back, Allison! I think the lamps turned out just great - and I wouldn't hesitate to do this myself. I need to go visit the Rock City gift shop on top of Lookout Mountain here - when I was there last year they had some stones that could work for this. Excited!!!

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  5. Kerry @ Design du MondeDecember 13, 2011 at 8:45 AM

    Wow, I will need to look into this. I have wanted one or two of these for awhile. Great job!

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  6. JanaDecember 13, 2011 at 8:52 AM

    Oh wowsers, those look fantastic!! Happy to see you back around here. :)

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  7. bluehydrangeaDecember 13, 2011 at 9:53 AM

    Allison,
    Welcome back!! And what a comeback...the lamp is fabulous!!!

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  8. modern janeDecember 13, 2011 at 10:19 AM

    Good to see you around here! This is beautiful! My boyfriend's late father would appreciate this. He spent hours and beach looking for pieces of agates. We now have a beautiful bowl full of lovely pieces. Your lamps is gorgeous!

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  9. Maureen at The Inglenook DecorDecember 13, 2011 at 10:22 AM

    such an awesome DIY! And the red looks great, hubby suggestion or no ;)

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  10. Braxton and YanceyDecember 13, 2011 at 10:58 AM

    Love the lamp! Also, it sure is nice to have you back...you've been missed.

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  11. Bri@MeyouandawienerDecember 13, 2011 at 11:22 AM

    I heard rock and I came running. Not to be confused with crack rock. That sucker is big!

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  12. Diane James HomeDecember 13, 2011 at 1:21 PM

    So glad you are back and hope you'll dip more than just your toes! The lamp is beautiful, definitely A+ for effort, design, style, everything! Thank you for sharing, Cynthia

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  13. My Interior LifeDecember 13, 2011 at 1:46 PM

    Alison, so glad you dipped your toe back in the blogging waters with this project! How fabulous is this lamp?? Glamazon for sure. I want one! Great job, sister!

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  14. anitaDecember 13, 2011 at 5:49 PM

    Wow!!
    That lamp is gorgeous!
    (I'm so happy you're back to blogging. Big hugs to you.)

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  15. IngridDecember 13, 2011 at 6:02 PM

    Happy to have you back...you have been in my thoughts and prayers. Wow that lamp is so gorgeous!

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  16. Contractors Continuing EducationDecember 14, 2011 at 12:26 AM

    That is really gorgeously fantastic! I agree with them all this is really amazing and you are super talented. Nothing more to say. BTW where did you bought that amethyst?

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  17. Meryl & Russell McLendonDecember 14, 2011 at 12:41 AM

    Well done! This is a beautiful lamp.

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  18. LindsBDecember 14, 2011 at 10:43 AM

    Seriously this is the best DIY project I've seen in awhile! LOVE how these came out- and the painted bottom of the rock is perfection.

    Oh and yes, I hate it when my husband is right. I tell him it is not often that he is, but secretly I know he is right more times that I'd like to admit. I love your husbands sugestion here- the red is perfect!

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  19. Carissa @ the Fabulous Design FileDecember 14, 2011 at 12:33 PM

    Um... AMAZING! I can't believe you made that!!! Beautiful! Glad you're back!

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  20. JMWDecember 14, 2011 at 12:45 PM

    Wow, that is an awesome DIY project. Beautiful!

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  21. Helena - A Diary of LovelyDecember 14, 2011 at 3:23 PM

    It looks amazing, and what a great piece of rock :)

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  22. Sarah RoadsDecember 14, 2011 at 8:39 PM

    Uh freakin amazing! I want one!

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  23. JILL @ the blue houseDecember 15, 2011 at 10:09 AM

    beautiful! glad to have you back :)

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  24. MeganDecember 21, 2011 at 9:15 AM

    That looks really nice! Great job on the lamp. What a fun project, and so neat that you have access to this kind of stuff in Brazil.

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  25. MFAMBDecember 21, 2011 at 2:35 PM

    aaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  26. Amy @ Five Kinds of HappyDecember 28, 2011 at 5:28 PM

    Hi Alison, I'm so happy to have stumbled upon your lovely blog. Those lamps are incredible and so VOGUE. :) I started reading and was sucked into the vortex! xoAmy

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  27. Jen of MadeByGirlJanuary 21, 2012 at 1:54 PM

    WOW, thank you for sharing, this is amazing! :))))

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  28. Clementine & OliveJanuary 21, 2012 at 11:03 PM

    SO INCREDIBLE!!! WOWOWOW. I literally will be doing this asap! Thank you!!

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